New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-15
IHE CONFEDEHAIE BAI1Ab IIhuO'
VIOLATING LAW TO PLEASE EX-REBELS.

UNION VETERANS INDIGNANT OVER TIE SUR
RENDER OF CAPTURED CONFEDERATE FLAGS.
WASHINGTON June IL (SpecdD.-The order OF Pres
ident Cleveland to return to the authorities oil the ae
rebel States the rebel flags captured during tho war;
has excited indignation among Union veterans oil
the in Washington than any thing that has hap
pened in many years. The order cam, like thu ndtr
from a clear sky. For fortyeight hours rumors were
anoat that it to DO issued, but no man '" no had
been soldier could be found who would believe the
report But he order has been issued and the Adlu-
tant General the United States Army hasens to de-
clare that is his pleasant duty to communicate it
to the Governors OF the late rebel States. TRIBUNE
correspondent called on him to-day and said that the
suggestion had been made that the President and Sec
rotary OF War had authority to surrender the cap
tured flags General Drum replied that he knew OF
no la y TO forbid 1t. lie added:
1t is not proper the Government to preserve rs
topples the flags captured In internecne war;"
The correspondent asked: What is to be done with
the rebel flags which IN possession OF the 10 yal
States !"
General Drum replied They must be returned
also. We shall return to the loyal States the dags
captured from them ard Iecaptured by the National
forces"
General Drum did not seem to realize that this
ton will only make it clear that the design OF
the order i, to wipe out far practicable the dis
tuction between the Stars and Stripes and the Stars
and Bars The rebels wer, charlottesville they
were In arms ; they were enemies of the United
States" Section No. 21S o. the Revised Statutes re-
quircs the Secretary OF War to be transmitted
to him Ill flags, colors and standards captured from
enemies of the United States" Section No III makes
him the custodian OF all tho books, records, papers,
furniture, pictures AMI other property appcrtainlng TO
the department He has no right to dispose of any
OF the prop rty in his custody except by authority
given to him by Congress. No longer ago than last
year il regarded necessary that Congress should
pass joint resolution before the Governor of North
Carolina could be furnished with certified copies OF
q the olfic letfar of Excp
ment OF North Carolina now in the War Department.
The rebel flags went into tho custody OF the Secretary
OF War by virtue OF act OF Con- Nothing less
than On act OF Congress can lawfully remove them
from his custody.
Although it has been rather difficult for Union vet
to obtain glimpse OF the captured rebel flags
since the Coniederaes captured the CAY iial there
s reason to beiieve that they number about $40.
They stored in an attic room OF the War Depart
mcnt, the door OF which is kept locsed 80 that the
sensbilities OF Southern Democrats may net be
shocked by public display OF elnblens which show
that the lost cause' was regarded los; indeed at
one time. For years officers OF the War Department
have complained that the clerical force was made
quite TO furnish promptly the date necessary Tor the
settlement or the claims OF Union veterans and their
widows aud orphans on nccount OF pensions. back
pay, bounties etc. and yet it has been i)und prsct
cable, since Con Iress adjourned TO detail 10 pre-
pare lists of tho captured rebel fag- rite full his
tories OF $50 OF them and partial histories OF 100
more About 25O are ready TO be shipped. Among
them are the flags which dOated over Fort Moutrie
and the citadel OF Charleston. An officer who has
spent forty IN his countrs service. today said
= do not understand this. suppose Cleveland can
get the nomination anyway. ana OF c0ursc II he Is
nominated the South viii supper, him. IL hardly
seemed worth while to insult every man who fought
for the Union
An old Army officer remarked Well you know,
neither Mr.. Gle yeland Tor Mr.. Endcott exactly APP
preciste the significance OF flag. lpresume that the
Stars and Stripes seem TO be nothing than few
yards OF bunting silk to either OF them The Stars
and Stripes and Stars and Bars about the same 10
them"
4 man who served long in the Navy said: " HIS
Administration has begun where Buchanans left OF.
Our ships were scattered Ia remote md our srms
sent 10 Southern arscnals 1860 In lcc7 the hdgs
that we captured from The rebels returned TO
them. IL is the same old party alter all"
Among members OF the Grand Army who were seen
to-day the feeling IA bitter in the extreme. and It
probably will result in some Official expression at the
National EncsmpmenL